MOLINE, ILLINOIS (August 27, 2025) — People from throughout the Quad Cities area will join the fight against suicide at the Out of the Darkness (OOTD) Quad Cities Illinois Community Walk on Sunday, September 21, in Moline. Sponsored by the Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the walk provides an opportunity for people impacted by suicide to come together to connect and support one another, as well as raise awareness and funds for AFSP.
The OOTD Quad Cities Community Walk begins at 1PM at the Wharton Field House, 1800 20th Ave, Moline, Illinois. Check in begins at 12PM. The Quad Cities Illinois walk is one of hundreds of Out of the Darkness Community Walks that will be held across the country.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for all ages. In 2023, 49,316 Americans died by suicide and there were an estimated 1.5 million suicide attempts. In the United States in 2023, suicide was the second-leading cause of death for ages 10-34, the fourth-leading cause of death for ages 35-44. In Illinois, suicide is the third-leading cause of death for ages 15-34 and fourth-leading cause for ages 35-54.
There is hope: 94% of adults in the US think suicide can be prevented.
Nationally, nine in ten individuals who die by suicide were living with a diagnosable mental health condition at the time of their death, with these conditions often being undiagnosed or untreated. As a leading cause of death, suicide is a public health problem but can be prevented through education and advocacy.
“I walk to honor the memory of my Grandson Angel. It is comforting, healing, and rewarding,” said Val Rumler, Quad Cities Illinois Out of the Darkness Walk Chair. “I want to open the conversation, to remove the stigma on suicide, and bring awareness so nobody feels alone. What better way than to support the AFSP Out of Darkness Walk in our community and start the conversation. Suicide is preventable and if more people knew that we could all win the battle. It takes a village. I’m happy to be part of that village.”
Since the first walk was held in 2004, the Out of the Darkness Community Walks have provided a platform to create awareness about mental-health issues as well as raise funds, which are split between Illinois and national efforts. Community walks in Illinois raise more than $400,000 annually. This is in addition to the annual Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk, being held on September 27 this year, which is the largest of the AFSP community walks in the country.
“The Out of the Darkness Walk is hope, healing and community! My involvement is dedicated to those lost to and affected by suicide, including my family,” said Megan Alvarado, Walk Chair for the Quad Cities Illinois Community Walk. “I’m a suicide prevention warrior and each of us has that power!”
There is no fee to register for an Out of the Darkness Walk. Individuals wishing to participate can find the registration page for their local walk in Illinois at www.afsp.org/ILTogether. Register today and be part of the movement coming #TogetherToFightSuicide.
For more Information about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention go to afsp.org.
To find out more about the nearest local community walk in Illinois, check afsp.org/ILTogether.
About the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to individuals affected by suicide. The organization creates a culture that is smart regarding mental health through educational programs, advocation for suicide prevention, and providing support for those affected by suicide. All donations go towards these efforts with the goal to greatly reduce the national suicide rate.
About Out of the Darkness Community Walks:
The mission of The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention’s Community Walks is to allow a platform for individuals to come together in support of suicide prevention. Held in hundreds of cities across the country, these events give people the courage to open up about their own connections to suicide, and also provide an easier venue for mental-health discussion across diverse backgrounds.
If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, please call, text, or chat 988 for the Suicide Crisis Lifeline. Or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.
